Description
These Apple Bacon Blue Smothered Pork Chops combine savory pork chops with crispy bacon, sweet cinnamon-spiced apples, tangy blue cheese, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Cooked first on the stovetop and finished in the oven, this dish offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures perfect for a comforting, elegant meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 3 bone-in center cut pork chops
- 6 strips bacon
Fruit & Vegetables
- 2 apples (firm, hard variety), cored and diced
Spices & Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Dairy & Cheese
- 3 tablespoons blue cheese crumbles
Condiments
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350º F to prepare for finishing the pork chops with the toppings.
- Cook the Bacon: Place the 6 strips of bacon into a large cast iron or ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Cook for 5-8 minutes, tossing occasionally until the bacon is browned and crispy. Remove bacon from skillet and place onto paper towels to drain, then crumble or chop into small pieces once cooled.
- Prepare Apples: While the bacon cooks, core and dice the apples. Sprinkle the diced apples with 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and toss to evenly coat the apple pieces with cinnamon.
- Sear Pork Chops and Add Apples: Carefully drain most of the bacon grease from the skillet, leaving a thin layer to coat the bottom. Place the pork chops in the skillet and cook over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes until the bottom is browned. Flip the chops and add the cinnamon-coated apples around and between the chops. Cook an additional 3-4 minutes to let the apples soften slightly.
- Add Toppings: Remove the skillet from heat. Evenly sprinkle the crumbled bacon and 3 tablespoons of blue cheese crumbles over the pork chops. Drizzle the 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar over the entire skillet contents.
- Bake to Finish: Transfer the entire skillet to the preheated oven and cook for 10 minutes. This step finishes cooking the pork chops through and melts the blue cheese, melding the flavors beautifully.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve immediately while hot and flavorful.
Notes
- Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for better texture during cooking.
- Keep a small amount of bacon grease for searing pork chops for added flavor.
- Ensure pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145ºF for safe consumption.
- If you do not have a cast iron skillet, use any oven-safe skillet for cooking and finishing this dish.
- Blue cheese has a strong flavor; adjust quantity based on preference.
